BAYSIDE BIOGRAPHY


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Bayside Biography
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Source: http://www.baysiderocks.com/Welcome.asp?ID=Main

ANTHONY RANERI
JACK O'SHEA
JOHN BEATZ
NICK GHANBARIAN

A musician’s life is a landscape filled with cheap, flashy distractions – is it possible to suffer through self-examination and actually find the benefits of it? Bayside don’t claim to have it any worse than anyone else; but they are conscious of their hardships and sins and the struggle for redemption. Working within lush sonic landscapes, the band makes documenting faithlessness seem like an exercise in beauty, with rich vocals soaring over rock-solid arrangements spiked with truly imaginative guitar solos. While Bayside’s Victory Records debut, “Sirens and Condolences” resided in the territory of bleak hopelessness and helpless fury, in their new self-titled album, rays of hope shine through. When Raneri sings, “I hate myself more than I ever let on, I’m burned out at 22,” on “Tortures Of The Damned,” the world is a dark place, but by the chorus he sings, “I’ve made mistakes but I’ll find my way,” revealing strength and resolve missing from their previous recordings.

Bayside formed in Long Island, NY during the winter of 2000, developing their own style based on soaring vocals, powerful guitar work and brooding lyrics from influences as diverse as The Smiths, the Smoking Popes, and Nirvana, to the Cure, Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake. The band began to tour, establishing an early fan base and drawing the attention of various tastemakers, ultimately contributing to several high profile compilations. The exposure brought Bayside to the attention of Victory Records, and in the fall of 2003 the band began recording their debut album, “Sirens and Condolences”, with producer J. Robbins of Jawbox. The release of the album drew praise from magazines like Teen People, Alternative Press and Guitar World, who called Bayside “Angular but melodic emo, with two well-arranged guitars and off-kilter vocal melodies.”

While preparing for the release of “Sirens and Condolences” Bayside wanted to find a way to connect with fans directly, so they started a “cult”, utilizing Friendster and Myspace as well as the Baysideisacult.com website to spread the word. They were one of the earliest bands to connect with Myspace, and to date they have 32,000 friends, with 300 coming in every day. Fans demonstrate their loyalty with Bayside tattoos, homemade Bayside razor blade necklaces and long road trips to their shows. Since the release of their debut, Bayside’s fan base continues to grow; with 40,000 albums sold and almost 400,000 downloads of their music.

The road was a constant for the band in the next year: during that time bassist Nick Ghanbarian and drummer John “Beatz” Holohan joined the line-up and their contributions solidified an already cohesive band into something more like a family. Both musicians are extremely accomplished: Ghanbarian was an original member of The Movielife and Silent Majority, while Holohan performed with various NYC-based bands and solo artists. He attributes his style to time spent sampling with hip hop legends Big Daddy Kane and Lil Daddy Shane.

By fall of 2004, the band was ready to take it to the next level and began planning their new album. Singer/guitarist/lyricist Anthony remembers, “We made a really conscious decision to work with producers that no one else in our scene were using – it seems like the same ten producers are doing all the albums and it shows. We found Shep and Kenny, who are well known for their work with acts like Mandy Moore, Aaron Carter, Leanne Womack and Paulina Rubio; while it’s a huge departure from that world, after meeting with them we felt that they understood what we were looking for.” Alan Douches mastered the album at his famous West West Side Studios.

Bayside hit the studio with an arsenal of songs that ran the gamut from relationship drama in “Existing In A Crisis” and “Devotion and Desire” to the sharp dressing down of sideline hecklers in “Half A Life”. “Montauk” was inspired by the movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, using imagery that evokes winter on Long Island and the weight of emotional baggage. “They Looked Like Strong Hands” is a naked examination of a faulty soul. Guitarist Jack 0’Shea is on fire on the entire album, but surpasses himself with wickedly inventive solos on “Half A Life” and “Devotion and Desire” among others.

The band elected to self-title the album in part due to the contributions of Ghanbarian and Holohan. “Nick and John are two of the best musicians I have ever played with, we named the album “Bayside” because with them in the band, we are one unit and we wanted to reflect that,” Anthony said. With a new album of luminous, beautifully arranged songs at the ready, the band will turn back to touring – with Vendetta Red through August 2005 before heading out with label mates Hawthorne Heights and Silverstein in the fall. Bayside’s emotional intensity, lyrical honesty and solid musicianship coalesced on this remarkable new album.

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Thanks to Jimmie Schmoranz jimmie.schmoranz@telia.com for submitting the biography.

Would you please submit the latest Bayside biography to me? Thank You.

Review about Bayside

<3 | Reviewer: Nikki Staywhack | 12/1/2008

Bayside will always be my favorite band, and all of you are stupid for fighting about them. They write good shit, always have, and always fucking will. I know ever since John passed Bayside won't hasn't been the same, but I will always have the greatest amount of respect for them; Because they helped me through everything I've gone through. Their lyrics speak well.

Hands down, no other band/CD that they've made will never compare to their first two CD's.

grow up! | Reviewer: Molly | 9/26/2008

seriously, if you read the lyrics to that song it doesn't say that Anthony doesn't believe in God and he's not spouting that belief at all. The entire album is talking about how they're the "walking wounded" because after beatz died that's how they felt. the song talks about how we all get left alone and need God to save us, but there's no proof that he's there. that doesn't mean he doesn't exist. it just means that no one knows if he's actually there. plus, its called the right to freedom of speech. if Anthony wants to talk about his doubts he has every right to do so and if you have an issue with it, don't listen to it.

plus, if you're going to sit there and spout out about how you hate their new music then don't say that you like them and are going to see them in concert.

bayside is probably the BEST band to ever right music. they get in touch with everyone's feelings and really can explain it better than anyone ever could. if their music changes a bit, you aren't gunna sit there and complain about it. bands change as they get older and with each album they get more amazing. if you dont like it, DONT LISTEN TO THEM! they dont need a following like you anyways.

get over it! | Reviewer: Molly | 9/26/2008

dont sit there and complain about a band that you claim to like. you sound pathetic.

and if you're going to complain about lyrics, actually read the lyrics first. then you'd realize that he's not saying what you think he's saying... at all.

and i actually have a bayside tattoo... and i'm more proud of it than any other tattoo that i have. every lyric they right connects with people and inspires them. they tell the truth in a way that none of us could explain it.

get over yourself. you aren't a music critic and you have no right to criticize anything that they right. if you were a true fan, you'd see that bayside gets better with every album and they grow with every song.

maybe you just have bad taste in music?

nice | Reviewer: anonymous | 3/11/2008

well first off who cares if he doesnt believe in god, maybe he's just writing it for those who do and want to use god as an image to save them from whatever problems there are.. yea i wouldn't get that bird tatted on myself either way, but true band members and lyricists tend to disagree with themselves but let them, i mean obviously they're still making it big right? overall i think their band is good before and after beatz died.... wtf? they didnt end. yea i agree with the person before me, this bio needs to be updated

good band though

About Bayside... | Reviewer: User1 | 12/31/2007

Its true that they didn't end. And its also true that they continued to perform their amazing music. Their split album with Name Taken was amazing, Sirens and Condolences changed my life, Bayside (the album) could have been a little bit better... and then The Walking Wounded came out. Half of it is amazing. The other half sucks balls.
Maybe just ONE song about how they're badass and changing music woulda been enough. And it'd be nice if one track went by without them referencing the "haters" who didn't believe in them, and were proven wrong, since they now are like captains at war getting followed to hell.
And the album also could have done without Anthony's religious views. Seriously.
If God doesn't exist, why are you singing directly to him, Anthony? You can't have it both ways... you believe there's a God, write crappy Christian rock then... you DON'T believe in him, its kinda silly to aknowledge him. Not to mention the melody to that song was just too familiar.
Still, Bayside is coming to my city in February, and I can't wait to see them.
I'm just glad I didn't get that bird tatted on me like everyone else, if this is the new direction they're gonna be going in.

The band didn't end. | Reviewer: Sam | 6/17/2007

What the hell is wrong with you people? The band didn't end. Bayside went on to do an acoustic tour with just 2 guys and release a CD/DVD. Some time after that, in 2007, they released "The Walking Wounded". This biography needs to be updated.

But as for the band, they are quite amazing. One of the best bands out right now. They have a unique sound that helps you get through your own struggles and tragedies. I have everything by them and I cherish it. I suggest checking them out if you haven't already. =]

R.I.P John "Beatz" Hollahan | Reviewer: nick | 5/21/2007

I cant believe John Beatz was killed, it sucks it tore the band apart. The band really did End in a Tragedy =(

speachless. | Reviewer: Stephanie | 5/3/2007

although im from Long Island, ive never heard of bayside. they played a show at my school (oneonta) and ever since i cant stop listening to them. theyre music never gets old. i love it.

=) <3

Brilliant | Reviewer: yas | 4/18/2007

An amazing band.
The Bayside album was lyrically powerfull along with the great guitar solos and of course drums.
It's sad that John Beatz died, but he will live on through his music.
I attended a concert in dedication to him and it was simply amazing and heart renching.

bayside | Reviewer: sammy | 4/12/2007

i heard of them through a friend and thought they were amazing. they have such meaningful lyrics, not like some wannabe emo bands nowadays. congrats guys x

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